A low-spin alkylperoxo-iron(III) complex with weak Fe-O and O-O bonds: implications for the mechanism of superoxide reductase

The synthesis of a mononuclear, five-coordinate ferrous complex [([15]aneN4)FeII(SPh)](BF4) (1) is reported. This complex is a new model of the reduced active site of the enzyme superoxide reductase (SOR), which is comprised of a [(NHis)4(Scys)FeII] center. Complex 1 reacts with alkylhydroperoxides (tBuOOH, cumenylOOH) at low temperature to give a metastable, dark red intermediate (2a: R = tBu; 2b: R = cumenyl) that has been characterized by UV-vis, EPR, and resonance Raman spectroscopy. The UV-vis spectrum (-80 degrees C) reveals a 526 nm absorbance (epsilon = 2150 M-1 cm-1) for 2a and a 527 nm absorbance (epsilon = 1650 M-1 cm-1) for 2b, indicative of alkylperoxo-to-iron(III) LMCT transitions, and the EPR data (77 K) show that both intermediates are low-spin iron(III) complexes (g = 2.20 and 1.97). Definitive identification of the Fe(III)-OOR species comes from RR spectra, which give nu(Fe-O) = 612 (2a) and 615 (2b) cm-1, and nu(O-O) = 803 (2a) and 795 (2b) cm-1. The assignments for 2a were confirmed by 18O substitution (tBu18O18OH), resulting in a 28 cm-1 downshift for nu(Fe-18O), and a 46 cm-1 downshift for nu(18O-18O). These data show that 2a and 2b are low-spin FeIII-OOR species with weak Fe-O bonds and suggest that a low-spin intermediate may occur in SOR, as opposed to previous proposals invoking high-spin intermediates.     

Structural insights into nonheme alkylperoxoiron(III) and oxoiron(IV) intermediates by X-ray absorption spectroscopy

Transient mononuclear low-spin alkylperoxoiron(III) and oxoiron(IV) complexes that are relevant to the activation of dioxygen by nonheme iron enzymes have been generated from synthetic iron(II) complexes of neutral tetradentate (TPA) and pentadentate (N4Py, Bn-TPEN) ligands and structurally characterized by means of Fe K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). Notable features obtained from fits of the EXAFS region are Fe-O bond lengths of 1.78 A for the alkylperoxoiron(III) intermediates and 1.65-1.68 A for the oxoiron(IV) intermediates, reflecting different strengths in the Fe-O pi interactions. These differences are also observed in the intensities of the 1s-to-3d transitions in the XANES region, which increase from 4 units for the nearly octahedral iron(II) precursor to 9-15 units for the alkylperoxoiron(III) intermediates to 25-29 units for the oxoiron(IV) species.     

End-on and side-on peroxo derivatives of non-heme iron complexes with pentadentate ligands: models for putative intermediates in biological iron/dioxygen chemistry

Mononuclear iron(III) species with end-on and side-on peroxide have been proposed or identified in the catalytic cycles of the antitumor drug bleomycin and a variety of enzymes, such as cytochrome P450 and Rieske dioxygenases. Only recently have biomimetic analogues of such reactive species been generated and characterized at low temperatures. We report the synthesis and characterization of a series of iron(II) complexes with pentadentate N5 ligands that react with H(2)O(2) to generate transient low-spin Fe(III)-OOH intermediates. These intermediates have low-spin iron(III) centers exhibiting hydroperoxo-to-iron(III) charge-transfer bands in the 500-600-nm region. Their resonance Raman frequencies, nu(O)(-)(O), near 800 cm(-)(1) are significantly lower than those observed for high-spin counterparts. The hydroperoxo-to-iron(III) charge-transfer transition blue-shifts and the nu(O)(-)(O) of the Fe-OOH unit decreases as the N5 ligand becomes more electron donating. Thus, increasing electron density at the low-spin Fe(III) center weakens the O-O bond, in accord with conclusions drawn from published DFT calculations. The parent [(N4Py)Fe(III)(eta(1)-OOH)](2+) (1a) ion in this series (N4Py = N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-N-bis(2-pyridyl)methylamine) can be converted to its conjugate base, which is demonstrated to be a high-spin iron(III) complex with a side-on peroxo ligand, [(N4Py)Fe(III)(eta(2)-O(2))](+) (1b). A detailed analysis of 1a and 1b by EPR and M?ssbauer spectroscopy provides insights into their electronic properties. The orientation of the observed (57)Fe A-tensor of 1a can be explained with the frequently employed Griffith model provided the rhombic component of the ligand field, determined by the disposition of the hydroperoxo ligand, is 45 degrees rotated relative to the octahedral field. EXAFS studies of 1a and 1b reveal the first metrical details of the iron-peroxo units in this family of complexes: [(N4Py)Fe(III)(eta(1)-OOH)](2+) has an Fe-O bond of 1.76 A, while [(N4Py)Fe(III)(eta(2)-O(2))](+) has two Fe-O bonds of 1.93 A, values which are in very good agreement with results obtained from DFT calculations.     

XAS characterization of end-on and side-on peroxoiron(III) complexes of the neutral pentadentate N-donor ligand N-methyl-N,N',N'-tris(2-pyridylmethyl)ethane-1,2-diamine

Peroxo intermediates are implicated in the catalytic cycles of iron enzymes involved in dioxygen metabolism. X-ray absorption spectroscopy has been used to gain insight into the iron coordination environments of the low-spin complex [Fe(III)(Me-TPEN)(eta(1)-OOH)](2+)(1) and the high-spin complex [Fe(III)(Me-TPEN)(eta(2)-O(2))](+)(2)(the neutral pentadentate N-donor ligand Me-TPEN =N-methyl-N,N',N'-tris(2-pyridylmethyl)ethane-1,2-diamine) and obtain metrical parameters unavailable from X-ray crystallography. The complexes exhibit relatively large pre-edge peak areas of approximately 15 units, indicative of iron centers with significant distortions from centrosymmetry. These distortions result from the binding of peroxide, either end-on hydroperoxo for 1 (r(Fe-O)= 1.81A) or side-on peroxo for 2 (r(Fe-O)= 1.99 A). The XAS analyses of 1 strongly support a six-coordinate low-spin iron(III) center coordinated to five nitrogen atoms from Me-TPEN and one oxygen atom from an end-on hydroperoxide ligand. However, the XAS analyses of 2 are not conclusive: Me-TPEN can act either as a pentadentate ligand to form a seven-coordinate peroxo complex, which has precedence in the DFT geometry optimization of [Fe(III)(N4Py)(eta(2)-O(2))](+)(the neutral pentadentate N-donor ligand N4Py =N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-N-bis(2-pyridyl)methylamine), or as a tetradentate ligand with a dangling pyridylmethyl arm to form a six-coordinate peroxo complex, which is precedented by the crystal structure of [Fe(2)(III)(Me-TPEN)(2)(Cl)(2)(mu-O)](2+).     

Electronic structure and reactivity of high-spin iron--alkyl- and--pterinperoxo complexes

The spectroscopic properties and electronic structure of the four-coordinate high-spin [FeIII(L3)(OOtBu)]+ complex (1; L3 = hydrotris(3-tert-butyl-5-isopropyl-1-pyrazolyl)borate; tBu = tert-butyl) are investigated and compared to the six-coordinated high-spin [Fe(6-Me3TPA)(OHx)(OOtBu)]x+ system (TPA = tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine, x = 1 or 2) studied earlier [Lehnert, N.; Ho, R. Y. N.; Que, L., Jr.; Solomon, E. I. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2001, 123, 12802-12816]. Complex 1 is characterized by Raman features at 889 and 830 cm-1 which are assigned to the O-O stretch (mixed with the symmetric C-C stretch) and a band at 625 cm-1 that corresponds to nu(Fe-O). The UV-vis spectrum shows a charge-transfer (CT) transition at 510 nm from the alkylperoxo pi v* (v = vertical to C-O-O plane) to a d orbital of Fe(III). A second CT is identified from MCD at 370 nm that is assigned to a transition from pi h* (h = horizontal to C-O-O plane) to an Fe(III) d orbital. For the TPA complex the pi v* CT is at 560 nm while the pi h* CT is to higher energy than 250 nm. These spectroscopic differences between four- and six-coordinate Fe(III)-OOR complexes are interpreted on the basis of their different ligand fields. In addition, the electronic structure of Fe-OOPtn complexes with the biologically relevant pterinperoxo ligand are investigated. Substitution of the tert-butyl group in 1 by pterin leads to the corresponding Fe(III)-OOPtn species (2), which shows a stronger electron donation from the peroxide to Fe(III) than 1. This is related to the lower ionization potential of pterin. Reduction of 2 by one electron leads to the Fe(II)-OOPtn complex (3), which is relevant as a model for potential intermediates in pterin-dependent hydroxylases. However, in the four-coordinate ligand field of 3, the additional electron is located in a nonbonding d orbital of iron. Hence, the pterinperoxo ligand is not activated for heterolytic cleavage of the O-O bond in this system. This is also evident from the calculated reaction energies that are endothermic by at least 20 kcal/mol.     

Biomimetic aryl hydroxylation derived from alkyl hydroperoxide at a nonheme iron center. Evidence for an Fe(IV)=O oxidant

Many nonheme iron-dependent enzymes activate dioxygen to catalyze hydroxylations of arene substrates. Key features of this chemistry have been developed from complexes of a family of tetradentate tripodal ligands obtained by modification of tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine (TPA) with single alpha-arene substituents. These included the following: -C(6)H(5) (i.e., 6-PhTPA), L(1); -o-C(6)H(4)D, o-d(1)-L(1); -C(6)D(5), d(5)-L(1); -m-C(6)H(4)NO(2), L(2); -m-C(6)H(4)CF(3), L(3); -m-C(6)H(4)Cl, L(4); -m-C(6)H(4)CH(3), L(5); -m-C(6)H(4)OCH(3), L(6); -p-C(6)H(4)OCH(3), L(7). Additionally, the corresponding ligand with one alpha-phenyl and two alpha-methyl substituents (6,6-Me(2)-6-PhTPA, L(8)) was also synthesized. Complexes of the formulas [(L(1))Fe(II)(NCCH(3))(2)](ClO(4))(2), [(L(n)())Fe(II)(OTf)(2)] (n = 1-7, OTf = (-)O(3)SCF(3)), and [(L(8))Fe(II)(OTf)(2)](2) were obtained and characterized by (1)H NMR and UV-visible spectroscopies and by X-ray diffraction in the cases of [(L(1))Fe(II)(NCCH(3))(2)](ClO(4))(2), [(L(6))Fe(II)(OTf)(2)], and [(L(8))Fe(II)(OTf)(2)](2). The complexes react with tert-butyl hydroperoxide ((t)()BuOOH) in CH(3)CN solutions to give iron(III) complexes of ortho-hydroxylated ligands. The product complex derived from L(1) was identified as the solvated monomeric complex [(L(1)O(-))Fe(III)](2+) in equilibrium with its oxo-bridged dimer [(L(1)O(-))(2)Fe(III)(2)(mu(2)-O)](2+), which was characterized by X-ray crystallography as the BPh(4)(-) salt. The L(8) product was also an oxo-bridged dimer, [(L(8)O(-))(2)Fe(III)(2)(mu(2)-O)](2+). Transient intermediates were observed at low temperature by UV-visible spectroscopy, and these were characterized as iron(III) alkylperoxo complexes by resonance Raman and EPR spectroscopies for L(1) and L(8). [(L(1))Fe(II)(OTf)(2)] gave rise to a mixture of high-spin (S = 5/2) and low-spin (S = 1/2) Fe(III)-OOR isomers in acetonitrile, whereas both [(L(1))Fe(OTf)(2)] in CH(2)Cl(2) and [(L(8))Fe(OTf)(2)](2) in acetonitrile afforded only high-spin intermediates. The L(1) and L(8) intermediates both decomposed to form respective phenolate complexes, but their reaction times differed by 3 orders of magnitude. In the case of L(1), (18)O isotope labeling indicated that the phenolate oxygen is derived from the terminal peroxide oxygen via a species that can undergo partial exchange with exogenous water. The iron(III) alkylperoxo intermediate is proposed to undergo homolytic O-O bond cleavage to yield an oxoiron(IV) species as an unobserved reactive intermediate in the hydroxylation of the pendant alpha-aryl substituents. The putative homolytic chemistry was confirmed by using 2-methyl-1-phenyl-2-propyl hydroperoxide (MPPH) as a probe, and the products obtained in the presence and in the absence of air were consistent with formation of alkoxy radical (RO(*)). Moreover, when one ortho position was labeled with deuterium, no selectivity was observed between hydroxylation of the deuterated and normal isotopomeric ortho sites, but a significant 1,2-deuterium shift ("NIH shift") occurred. These results provide strong mechanistic evidence for a metal-centered electrophilic oxidant, presumably an oxoiron(IV) complex, in these arene hydroxylations and support participation of such a species in the mechanisms of the nonheme iron- and pterin-dependent aryl amino acid hydroxylases.     

Bivalent and trivalent iron complexes of acyclic hexadentate ligands providing pyridyl/pyrazine-amide-thioether coordination

Acyclic pyridine-2-carboxamide- and thioether-containing hexadentate ligand 1,4-bis[o-(pyridine-2-carboxamidophenyl)]-1,4-dithiobutane (H(2)bpctb), in its deprotonated form, has afforded purple low-spin (S = 0) iron(II) complex [Fe(bpctb)] (1). A new ligand, the pyrazine derivative of H(2)bpctb, 1,4-bis[o-(pyrazine-2-carboxamidophenyl)]-1,4-dithiobutane (H(2)bpzctb), has been synthesized which has furnished the isolation of purple iron(II) complex [Fe(bpzctb)].CH(2)Cl(2) (4) (S = 0). Chemical oxidation of 1 by [(eta(5)-C(5)H(5))(2)Fe][PF(6)] or [Ce(NO(3))(6)][NH(4)](2) led to the isolation of low-spin (S = 1/2) green Fe(III) complexes [Fe(bpctb)][PF(6)] (2) or [Fe(bpctb)][NO(3)].H(2)O (3), and oxidation of 4 by [Ce(NO(3))(6)][NH(4)](2) afforded [Fe(bpzctb)][NO(3)].H(2)O (5) (S = 1/2). X-ray crystal structures of 1 and 4 revealed that (i) in each case the ligand coordinates in a hexadentate mode and (ii) bpzctb(2-) binds more strongly than bpctb(2-), affording distorted octahedral M(II)N(2)(pyridine/pyrazine)N'(2)(amide)S(2)(thioether) coordination. To the best of our knowledge, 1 and 4 are the first examples of six-coordinate low-spin Fe(II) complexes of deprotonated pyridine/pyrazine amide ligands having appended thioether functionality. The Fe(III) complexes display rhombic EPR spectra. Each complex exhibits in CH(2)Cl(2)/MeCN a reversible to quasireversible cyclic voltammetric response, corresponding to the Fe(III)-Fe(II) redox process. The E(1/2) value of 4 is more anodic by approximately 0.2 V than that of 1, attesting that compared to pyridine, pyrazine is a better stabilizer of iron(II). Moreover, the E(1/2) value of 1 is significantly higher (approximately 1.5 V) than that reported for six-coordinate Fe(II)/Fe(III) complexes of the tridentate pyridine-2-carboxamide ligand incorporating thiolate donor site.     

Oxidation and oxygenation of iron complexes of 2-aza-21-carbaporphyrin

Oxidation and oxygenation of (HCTPPH)Fe(II)Br an iron(II) complex of 2-aza-5,10,15,20-tetraphenyl-21-carbaporphyrin (CTPPH)H2 have been followed by 1H and 2H NMR spectroscopy. Addition of I2 or Br2 to the solution of (HCTPPH)Fe(II)Br in the absence of dioxygen results in one-electron oxidation yielding [(HCTPPH)Fe(III)Br]+. One electron oxidation with dioxygen, accompanied by deprotonation of a C(21)H fragment and formation of an Fe-C(21) bond, produces an intermediate-spin, five-coordinate iron(III) complex (HCTPP)Fe(III)Br. In the subsequent step an insertion of the oxygen atom into the preformed Fe(III)-C(21) bond has been detected to produce [(CTPPO)Fe(III)Br]-. Protonation at the N2 atom affords (HCTPPO)Fe(III)Br. The considered mechanism of (HCTPPH)Fe(II)Br oxygenation involves the insertion of dioxygen into the Fe-C bond. The 1H NMR and 2H NMR spectra of paramagnetic iron(III) complexes were examined. Functional group assignments have been made with use of selective deuteration. The characteristic patterns of pyrrole and 2-NH resonances have been found diagnostic of the ground electronic state of iron and the donor nature localized at C(21) center as exemplified by the 1H NMR spectrum of intermediate-spin (HCTPP)Fe(III)Br: beta-H 7.2, -10.6, -19.2, -20.6, -23.2, -24.9, -43.2; 2-NH -76.6 (ppm, 298 K). The structures of two compounds (HCTPP)Fe(III)Br and (HCTPPO)Fe(III)Br, were determined by X-ray diffraction studies. In the first case, the iron(III) is five-coordinate with bonds to three pyrrole nitrogen atoms (Fe-N distances: 1.985(8), 2.045(7), 2.023(8) A), and the pyrrolic trigonal carbon (Fe-C: 1.981(8) A). The iron(III) of (HCTPPO)Fe(III)Br forms bonds to three pyrrole nitrogen atoms (Fe-N distances 2.104(5), 2.046(5), 2.102(5) A). The Fe-O 2.041(5) A and Fe-C(21) 2.192(5) A distances suggests a direct interaction between the iron center and the pi electron density on the carbonyl group in a eta2 fashion.     

Iron complexes of 5,10,15,20-tetraphenyl-21-oxaporphyrin

The iron complexes of 5,10,15,20-tetraphenyl-21-oxaporphyrin (OTPP)H have been investigated. Insertion of iron(II) followed by one-electron oxidation yielded a high-spin, six-coordinate (OTPP)Fe(III)Cl(2) complex. The reduction of (OTPP)Fe(III)Cl(2) has been accomplished by means of moderate reducing reagents producing high-spin five-coordinate (OTPP)Fe(II)Cl. The molecular structure of (OTPP)Fe(III)Cl(2) has been determined by X-ray diffraction. The iron(III) 21-oxaporphyrin skeleton is essentially planar. The furan ring coordinates in the eta(1) fashion through the oxygen atom, which acquires trigonal geometry. The iron(III) apically coordinates two chloride ligands. Addition of potassium cyanide to a solution of (OTPP)Fe(III)Cl(2) in methanol-d(4) results in its conversion to a six-coordinate, low-spin complex [OTPP)Fe(III)(CN)(2)] which is spontaneously reduced to [OTPP)Fe(II)(CN)(2)](-) by excess cyanide. The spectroscopic features of [OTPP)Fe(III)(CN)(2)] correspond to the common low-spin iron(III) porphyrin (d(xy))(2)(d(xz)d(yz))(3) electronic configuration. Titration of (OTPP)Fe(III)Cl(2) or (OTPP)Fe(II)Cl with n-BuLi (toluene-d(8), 205 K) resulted in the formation of (OTPP)Fe(II)(CH(2)CH(2)CH(2)CH(3)). (OTPP)Fe(II)(n-Bu) decomposes via homolytic cleavage of the iron-carbon bond to produce (OTPP)Fe(I). The EPR spectrum (toluene-d(8), 77 K) is consistent with a (d(xy))(2)(d(xz))(2)(d(yz))(2)(d(z)(2)(1)(d[(x)(2)-(y)(2)])(0) ground electronic state of iron(I) oxaporphyrin (g(1) = 2.234, g(2) = 2.032, g(3) = 1.990). The (1)H NMR spectra of (OTPP)Fe(III)Cl(2), (OTPP)Fe(III)(CN)(2), ([(OTPP)Fe(III))](2)O)(2+), and (OTPP)Fe(II)Cl have been analyzed. There are considerable similarities in (1)H NMR properties within each iron(n) oxaporphyrin-iron(n) regular porphyrin or N-methylporphyrin pair (n = 2, 3). Contrary to this observation, the pattern of downfield positions of pyrrole resonances at 156.2, 126.5, 76.3 ppm and furan resonance at 161.4 ppm (273 K) detected for the two-electron reduction product of (OTPP)Fe(III)Cl(2) is unprecedented in the group of iron(I) porphyrins.     

Synthetic models for the cysteinate-ligated non-heme iron enzyme superoxide reductase: observation and structural characterization by XAS of an Fe(III)-OOH intermediate

Superoxide reductases (SORs) belong to a new class of metalloenzymes that degrade superoxide by reducing it to hydrogen peroxide. These enzymes contain a catalytic iron site that cycles between the Fe(II) and Fe(III) states during catalysis. A key step in the reduction of superoxide has been suggested to involve HO(2) binding to Fe(II), followed by innersphere electron transfer to afford an Fe(III)-OO(H) intermediate. In this paper, the mechanism of the superoxide-induced oxidation of a synthetic ferrous SOR model ([Fe(II)(S(Me2)N(4)(tren))](+) (1)) to afford [Fe(III)(S(Me2)N(4)(tren)(solv))](2+) (2-solv) is reported. The XANES spectrum shows that 1 remains five-coordinate in methanolic solution. Upon reaction of 1 with KO(2) in MeOH at -90 degrees C, an intermediate (3) is formed, which is characterized by a LMCT band centered at 452(2780) nm, and a low-spin state (S = 1/2), based on its axial EPR spectrum (g(perpendicular) = 2.14; g(parallel) = 1.97). Hydrogen peroxide is detected in this reaction, using both (1)H NMR spectroscopy and a catalase assay. Intermediate 3 is photolabile, so, in lieu of a Raman spectrum, IR was used to obtain vibrational data for 3. At low temperatures, a nu(O-O) Fermi doublet is observed in the IR at 788(2) and 781(2) cm(-)(1), which collapses into a single peak at 784 cm(-1) upon the addition of D(2)O. This vibrational peak diminishes in intensity over time and essentially disappears after 140 s. When 3 is generated using an (18)O-labeled isotopic mixture of K(18)O(2)/K(16)O(2) (23.28%), the vibration centered at 784 cm(-1) shifts to 753 cm(-1). This new vibrational peak is close to that predicted (740 cm(-1)) for a diatomic (18)O-(18)O stretch. In addition, a nu(O-O) vibrational peak assigned to free hydrogen peroxide is also observed (nu(O-O) = 854 cm(-1)) throughout the course of the reaction between Fe(II)-1 and superoxide and is strongest after 100 s. XAS studies indicate that 3 possesses one sulfur scatterer at 2.33(2) A and four nitrogen scatterers at 2.01(1) A. Addition of two Fe-O shells, each containing one oxygen, one at 1.86(3) A and one at 2.78(3) A, improved the EXAFS fits, suggesting that 3 is an end-on peroxo or hydroperoxo complex, [Fe(III)(S(Me2)N(4)(tren))(OO(H))](+). Upon warming above -50 degrees C, 3 is converted to 2-MeOH. In methanol and methanol:THF (THF = tetrahydrofuran) solvent mixtures, 2-MeOH is characterized by a LMCT band at lambda(max) = 511(1765) nm, an intermediate spin-state (S = 3/2), and, on the basis of EXAFS, a relatively short Fe-O bond (assigned to a coordinated methanol or methoxide) at 1.94(10) A. Kinetic measurements in 9:1 THF:MeOH at 25 degrees C indicate that 3 is formed near the diffusion limit upon addition of HO(2) to 1 and converts to 2-MeOH at a rate of 65(1) s(-1), which is consistent with kinetic studies involving superoxide oxidation of the SOR iron site.     

Sulfur K-edge XAS and DFT calculations on nitrile hydratase: geometric and electronic structure of the non-heme iron active site

The geometric and electronic structure of the active site of the non-heme iron enzyme nitrile hydratase (NHase) is studied using sulfur K-edge XAS and DFT calculations. Using thiolate (RS(-))-, sulfenate (RSO(-))-, and sulfinate (RSO(2)(-))-ligated model complexes to provide benchmark spectral parameters, the results show that the S K-edge XAS is sensitive to the oxidation state of S-containing ligands and that the spectrum of the RSO(-) species changes upon protonation as the S-O bond is elongated (by approximately 0.1 A). These signature features are used to identify the three cysteine residues coordinated to the low-spin Fe(III) in the active site of NHase as CysS(-), CysSOH, and CysSO(2)(-) both in the NO-bound inactive form and in the photolyzed active form. These results are correlated to geometry-optimized DFT calculations. The pre-edge region of the X-ray absorption spectrum is sensitive to the Z(eff) of the Fe and reveals that the Fe in [FeNO](6) NHase species has a Z(eff) very similar to that of its photolyzed Fe(III) counterpart. DFT calculations reveal that this results from the strong pi back-bonding into the pi antibonding orbital of NO, which shifts significant charge from the formally t(2)(6) low-spin metal to the coordinated NO.     

Iron complexes of C- and N-methylated 2-aza-21-carbaporphyrin: NMR studies

Insertion of iron(II) into methylated derivatives of N-confused porphyrins 2-aza-2-methyl-5,10,15,20-tetraphenyl-21-carbaporphyrin (MeCTPPH)H, 2-aza-5,10,15,20-tetraphenyl-21-methyl-21-carbaporphyrin (CTPPMe)H2, and 2-aza-2-methyl-5,10,15,20-tetraphenyl-21-methyl-21-carbaporphyrin (MeCTPPMe)H yielded N- or C-methylated high-spin iron(II) complexes (MeCTPPH)Fe(II)Br, (HCTPPMe)Fe(II)Br, and (MeCTPPMe)Fe(II)Br. One electron oxidation of (Me-CTPPH)Fe(II)Br using Br2, accompanied by deprotonation of a C(21)-H(21) fragment and formation of an Fe-C(21) bond, produces an intermediate-spin, five-coordinate iron(III) complex (MeCTPP)Fe(III)Br. Simultaneously, a high-spin complex [(MeCTPPH)Fe(III)Br]+ was formed which preserved the side-on interaction between the metal ion and the inverted pyrrole ring. &[(MeCTPPH)Fe(III)Br]+ was also obtained by titration of (MeCTPP)FeIIIBr with TFA due to the C(21) protonation. A titration of (HCTPPMe)Fe(II)Br and (MeCTPPMe)Fe(II)Br with Br2 yielded solely corresponding high-spin iron(III) species [(HCTPPMe)Fe(III)Br+ and [(MeCTPPMe)Fe(III)Br+. Dioxygen reacts cleanly with (MeCTPPH)Fe(II)Br carbaporphyrin to form solely (MeCTPP)Fe(III)Br. The 1H NMR spectra of paramagnetic iron(II) and iron(III) complexes were examined. The characteristic patterns of pyrrole, C-methyl, and N-methyl resonances were found diagnostic of the ground electronic state of iron and the coordinating nature of the N-confused pyrrole. The characteristic C-Me resonances occur in a unique window (520-420 ppm) for iron(III) C-methylated N-confused porphyrins which remains in contrast with relatively small values found for iron(II) C-methylated derivatives (50-80 ppm).     

Oxygen activation by nonheme iron(II) complexes: alpha-keto carboxylate versus carboxylate

Mononuclear iron(II) alpha-keto carboxylate and carboxylate compounds of the sterically hindered tridentate face-capping ligand Tp(Ph2) (Tp(Ph2) = hydrotris(3,5-diphenylpyrazol-1-yl)borate) were prepared as models for the active sites of nonheme iron oxygenases. The structures of an aliphatic alpha-keto carboxylate complex, [Fe(II)(Tp(Ph2))(O(2)CC(O)CH(3))], and the carboxylate complexes [Fe(II)(Tp(Ph2))(OBz)] and [Fe(II)(Tp(Ph2))(OAc)(3,5-Ph(2)pzH)] were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, all of which have five-coordinate iron centers. Both the alpha-keto carboxylate and the carboxylate compounds react with dioxygen resulting in the hydroxylation of a single ortho phenyl position of the Tp(Ph2) ligand. The oxygenation products were characterized spectroscopically, and the structure of the octahedral iron(III) phenolate product [Fe(III)(Tp(Ph2))(OAc)(3,5-Ph(2)pzH)] was established by X-ray diffraction. The reaction of the alpha-keto carboxylate model compounds with oxygen to produce the phenolate product occurs with concomitant oxidative decarboxylation of the alpha-keto acid. Isotope labeling studies show that (18)O(2) ends up in the Tp(Ph2) phenolate oxygen and the carboxylate derived from the alpha-keto acid. The isotope incorporation mirrors the dioxygenase nature of the enzymatic systems. Parallel studies on the carboxylate complexes demonstrate that the oxygen in the hydroxylated ligand is also derived from molecular oxygen. The oxygenation of the benzoylformate complex is demonstrated to be first order in metal complex and dioxygen, with activation parameters DeltaH++ = 25 +/- 2 kJ mol(-1) and DeltaS++ = -179 +/- 6 J mol(-1) K(-1). The rate of appearance of the iron(III) phenolate product is sensitive to the nature of the substituent on the benzoylformate ligand, exhibiting a Hammett rho value of +1.3 indicative of a nucleophilic mechanism. The proposed reaction mechanism involves dioxygen binding to produce an iron(III) superoxide species, nucleophilic attack of the superoxide at the alpha-keto functionality, and oxidative decarboxylation of the adduct to afford the oxidizing species that attacks the Tp(Ph2) phenyl ring. Interestingly, the alpha-keto carboxylate complexes react 2 orders of magnitude faster than the carboxylate complexes, thus emphasizing the key role that the alpha-keto functionality plays in oxygen activation by alpha-keto acid-dependent iron enzymes.     

O2 activation by bis(imino)pyridine iron(II)-thiolate complexes

The new iron(II)-thiolate complexes [((iPr)BIP)Fe(II)(SPh)(Cl)] (1) and [((iPr)BIP)Fe(II)(SPh)(OTf)] (2) [BIP = bis(imino)pyridine] were prepared as models for cysteine dioxygenase (CDO), which converts Cys to Cys-SO(2)H at a (His)(3)Fe(II) center. Reaction of 1 and 2 with O(2) leads to Fe-oxygenation and S-oxygenation, respectively. For 1 + O(2), the spectroscopic and reactivity data, including (18)O isotope studies, are consistent with an assignment of an iron(IV)-oxo complex, [((iPr)BIP)Fe(IV)(O)(Cl)](+) (3), as the product of oxygenation. In contrast, 2 + O(2) results in direct S-oxygenation to give a sulfonato product, PhSO(3)(-). The positioning of the thiolate ligand in 1 versus 2 appears to play a critical role in determining the outcome of O(2) activation. The thiolate ligands in 1 and 2 are essential for O(2) reactivity and exhibit an important influence over the Fe(III)/Fe(II) redox potential.     

Electronic structure of high-spin iron(III)-alkylperoxo complexes and its relation to low-spin analogues: reaction coordinate of O-O bond homolysis.

The spectroscopic properties of the high-spin Fe(III)-alkylperoxo model complex [Fe(6-Me(3)TPA)(OH(x))(OO(t)Bu)](x)(+) (1; TPA = tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine, (t)Bu = tert-butyl, x = 1 or 2) are defined and related to density functional calculations of corresponding models in order to determine the electronic structure and reactivity of this system. The Raman spectra of 1 show four peaks at 876, 842, 637, and 469 cm(-1) that are assigned with the help of normal coordinate analysis, and corresponding force constants have been determined to be 3.55 mdyn/A for the O-O and 2.87 mdyn/A for the Fe-O bond. Complex 1 has a broad absorption feature around 560 nm that is assigned to a charge-transfer (CT) transition from the alkylperoxo to a t(2g) d orbital of Fe(III) with the help of resonance Raman profiles and MCD spectroscopy. An additional contribution to the Fe-O bond arises from a sigma interaction between and an e(g) d orbital of iron. The electronic structure of 1 is compared to the related low-spin model complex [Fe(TPA)(OH(x))(OO(t)Bu)](x)(+) and the reaction coordinate for O-O homolysis is explored for both the low-spin and the high-spin Fe(III)-alkylperoxo systems. Importantly, there is a barrier for homolytic cleavage of the O-O bond on the high-spin potential energy surface that is not present for the low-spin complex, which is therefore nicely set up for O-O homolysis. This is reflected by the electronic structure of the low-spin complex having a strong Fe-O and a weak O-O bond due to a strong Fe-O sigma interaction. In addition, the reaction coordinate of the Fe-O homolysis has been investigated, which is a possible decay pathway for the high-spin system, but which is thermodynamically unfavorable for the low-spin complex.     

Utilization of hydrogen bonds to stabilize M-O(H) units: synthesis and properties of monomeric iron and manganese complexes with terminal oxo and hydroxo ligands

Non-heme iron and manganese species with terminal oxo ligands are proposed to be key intermediates in a variety of biological and synthetic systems; however, the stabilization of these types of complexes has proven difficult because of the tendency to form oxo-bridged complexes. Described herein are the design, isolation, and properties for a series of mononuclear Fe(III) and Mn(III) complexes with terminal oxo or hydroxo ligands. Isolation of the complexes was facilitated by the tripodal ligand tris[(N'-tert-butylureaylato)-N-ethyl]aminato ([H(3)1](3-)), which creates a protective hydrogen bond cavity around the M(III)-O(H) units (M(III) = Fe and Mn). The M(III)-O(H) complexes are prepared by the activation of dioxygen and deprotonation of water. In addition, the M(III)-O(H) complexes can be synthesized using oxygen atom transfer reagents such as N-oxides and hydroxylamines. The [Fe(III)H(3)1(O)](2-) complex also can be made using sulfoxides. These findings support the proposal of a high valent M(IV)-oxo species as an intermediate during dioxygen cleavage. Isotopic labeling studies show that oxo ligands in the [M(III)H(3)1(O)](2-) complexes come directly from the cleavage of dioxygen: for [Fe(III)H(3)1(O)](2-) the nu(Fe-(16)O) = 671 cm(-1), which shifts 26 cm(-1) in [Fe(III)H(3)1((18)O)](2-) (nu(Fe-(18)O) = 645 cm(-1)); a nu(Mn-(16)O) = 700 cm(-1) was observed for [Mn(III)H(3)1((16)O)](2-), which shifts to 672 cm(-1) in the Mn-(18)O isotopomer. X-ray diffraction studies show that the Fe-O distance is 1.813(3) A in [Fe(III)H(3)1(O)](2-), while a longer bond is found in [Fe(III)H(3)1(OH)](-) (Fe-O at 1.926(2) A); a similar trend was found for the Mn(III)-O(H) complexes, where a Mn-O distance of 1.771(5) A is observed for [Mn(III)H(3)1(O)](2-) and 1.873(2) A for [Mn(III)H(3)1(OH)](-). Strong intramolecular hydrogen bonds between the urea NH groups of [H(3)1](3-) and the oxo and oxygen of the hydroxo ligand are observed in all the complexes. These findings, along with density functional theory calculations, indicate that a single sigma-bond exists between the M(III) centers and the oxo ligands, and additional interactions to the oxo ligands arise from intramolecular H-bonds, which illustrates that noncovalent interactions may replace pi-bonds in stabilizing oxometal complexes.     

Six-coordinate and five-coordinate Fe(II)(CN)(2)(CO)(x) thiolate complexes (x = 1, 2): synthetic advances for iron sites of [NiFe] hydrogenases

The dicyanodicarbonyliron(II) thiolate complexes trans,cis-[(CN)(2)(CO)(2)Fe(S,S-C-R)](-) (R = OEt (2), N(Et)(2) (3)) were prepared by the reaction of [Na][S-C(S)-R] and [Fe(CN)(2)(CO)(3)(Br)](-) (1). Complex 1 was obtained from oxidative addition of cyanogen bromide to [Fe(CN)(CO)(4)](-). In a similar fashion, reaction of complex 1 with [Na][S,O-C(5)H(4)N], and [Na][S,N-C(5)H(4)] produced the six-coordinate trans,cis-[(CN)(2)(CO)(2)Fe(S,O-C(5)H(4)N)](-) (6) and trans,cis-[(CN)(2)(CO)(2)Fe(S,N-C(5)H(4))](-) (7) individually. Photolysis of tetrahydrofuran (THF) solution of complexes 2, 3, and 7 under CO led to formation of the coordinatively unsaturated iron(II) dicyanocarbonyl thiolate compounds [(CN)(2)(CO)Fe(S,S-C-R)](-) (R = OEt (4), N(Et)(2) (5)) and [(CN)(2)(CO)Fe(S,N-C(5)H(4))](-) (8), respectively. The IR v(CN) stretching frequencies and patterns of complexes 4, 5, and 8 have unambiguously identified two CN(-) ligands occupying cis positions. In addition, density functional theory calculations suggest that the architecture of five-coordinate complexes 4, 5, and 8 with a vacant site trans to the CO ligand and two CN(-) ligands occupying cis positions serves as a conformational preference. Complexes 2, 3, and 7 were reobtained when the THF solution of complexes 4, 5, and 8 were exposed to CO atmosphere at 25 degrees C individually. Obviously, CO ligand can be reversibly bound to the Fe(II) site in these model compounds. Isotopic shift experiments demonstrated the lability of carbonyl ligands of complexes 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 8. Complexes [(CN)(2)(CO)Fe(S,S-C-R)](-) and NiA/NiC states [NiFe] hydrogenases from D. gigas exhibit a similar one-band pattern in the v(CO) region and two-band pattern in the v(CN) region individually, but in different positions, which may be accounted for by the distinct electronic effects between [S,S-C-R](-) and cysteine ligands. Also, the facile formations of five-coordinate complexes 4, 5, and 8 imply that the strong sigma-donor, weak pi-acceptor CN(-) ligands play a key role in creating/stabilizing five-coordinate iron(II) [(CN)(2)(CO)Fe(S,S-C-R)](-) complexes with a vacant coordination site trans to the CO ligand.     

Synthesis, structure, and physical properties for a series of monomeric iron(III) hydroxo complexes with varying hydrogen-bond networks

Mononuclear iron(III) complexes with terminal hydroxo ligands are proposed to be important species in several metalloproteins, but they have been difficult to isolate in synthetic systems. Using a series of amidate/ureido tripodal ligands, we have prepared and characterized monomeric Fe (III)OH complexes with similar trigonal-bipyramidal primary coordination spheres. Three anionic nitrogen donors define the trigonal plane, and the hydroxo oxygen atom is trans to an apical amine nitrogen atom. The complexes have varied secondary coordination spheres that are defined by intramolecular hydrogen bonds between the Fe (III)OH unit and the urea NH groups. Structural trends were observed between the number of hydrogen bonds and the Fe-O hydroxo bond distances: the more intramolecular hydrogen bonds there were, the longer the Fe-O bond became. Spectroscopic trends were also found, including an increase in the energy of the O-H vibrations with a decrease in the number of hydrogen bonds. However, the Fe (III/II) reduction potentials were constant throughout the series ( approximately 2.0 V vs [Cp 2Fe] (0/+1)), which is ascribed to a balancing of the primary and secondary coordination-sphere effects.     

Synthesis and characterization of two intensely colored tris(benzoylcyanoxime)iron(II) anionic complexes

Two intensely blue-colored complexes, P(C 6H 5) 4[Fe(BCO) 3] ( 1) and Na[Fe(BCO) 3] ( 2), where BCO (-) is the benzoylcyanoxime anion, have been prepared and characterized in solution and in the solid state. The crystal structure of 1 has been determined at several temperatures (100, 155, 225, and 293 K) and consists of layers of P(C 6H 5) 4 (+) cations and [Fe(BCO) 3] (-) anions. The latter exist as a pair of fac-Delta and Lambda enantiomers in a monoclinic unit cell in the P2(1)/ n space group. Iron(II) has a trigonal-prismatic N 3O 3 coordination environment with average Fe-N and Fe-O bond distances of 1.866 and 1.956 A, respectively, bonds that are unusually short and indicate a (1)A 1g low-spin ground state for iron(II). A sample of 1 prepared with iron-57 has been studied by Mossbauer spectroscopy between 4.2 and 430 K and found to be low-spin iron(II) in studied temperature range. The stepwise formation constants for 1 in aqueous solution at 296 K and pH of 7 are log beta 1 = 0.85 +/- 0.1, log beta 2 = 3.55 +/- 0.15, and log beta 3 = 6.36 +/- 0.15. Both 1 and 2 exhibit irreversible oxidation of iron(II) at approximately 1.0 V, indicating a significant degree of the ligand-to-iron charge transfer. Thus, 1 and 2 are rare examples of highly colored iron(II) anionic complexes that do not contain aromatic heterocyclic amine ligands, such as bipyridine or phenanthroline.